Protesters disrupt RNC Youth Convention

CaptionAIDS protest at Grand Central

AP

A handcuffed AIDS activist is escorted from New York's Grand Central Station on the final day of the Republican National Convention. About 100 well-organized protesters gathered on a pre-arranged signal for a short, noisy demonstration during the morning rush hour, calling on the president to...

A handcuffed AIDS activist is escorted from New York's Grand Central Station on the final day of the Republican National Convention. About 100 well-organized protesters gathered on a pre-arranged signal for a short, noisy demonstration during the morning rush hour, calling on the president to... (AP)

AIDS activists protest in New York's Grand Central Station on the final day of the Republican National Convention. About 100 well-organized protesters gathered on a pre-arranged signal for a short, noisy demonstration during the morning rush hour, calling on the president to do more in the...

AIDS activists protest in New York's Grand Central Station on the final day of the Republican National Convention. About 100 well-organized protesters gathered on a pre-arranged signal for a short, noisy demonstration during the morning rush hour, calling on the president to do more in the... (AP)

Members of the U.S. Secret Service drag a protester off the floor of the Republican National Convention during a speech by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card during the Republican Youth Convention September 1, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A handful of demonstrators were...

Members of the U.S. Secret Service drag a protester off the floor of the Republican National Convention during a speech by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card during the Republican Youth Convention September 1, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A handful of demonstrators were... (Getty Images)

The GOP's Youth Convention was briefly interrupted this morning by at least a half dozen protesters who were promptly silenced by young Republicans shouting "four more years" and then hauled away by security officers.

Card's speech was specifically targeted according to a member of ACT UP. "Andrew Card makes decisions in the White House and Bush is falsely claiming to be compassionate on AIDS," said Asia Russell, 28, who said she helped organize today's protest.

The protesters had made their way to the floor of Madison Square Garden and apparently had credentials to be in the area.

Paris Dennard, 22 a convention delegate from Arizona, said the protesters suddenly jumped on ther chairs and pulled off their shirts, revealing signs protesting the Iraq wars and other anti-Bush bumper stickers and t-shirts with protest slogans.

Dennard said he then ran over to block a nearby news media camera with a pro-Bush sign to keep the scene from being televised, "so they would not defile this wonderful youth convention."

"They started shouting whatever they were shouting and we drowned them out with chants of USA USA," Dennard said."I'm very upset because the Democrats have gone to this length to prove their point. (Sen. John) Kerry needs to get these peole on his side if that is their message."

He said that the protesters showed great disrespect for Bush and the GOP convention because nothing like this happened at the Democratic National Convention in Boston a month ago.

Russell said it was an added bonus that Card's speech came in front of a younger audience. 'We need to bring our message to were the decision makers are," said Russell. "The fact is that younger people will feel the impact of Bush's policies harder."

The Youth Convention had begun with a rousing rendition of the national anthem and well-received speeches by some more stars of the entertainment world -- World Wrestling Entertainment champ John Bradshaw Layfield, TV star Angie Harmon and former NY Giant Jason Sehorn. Education Secretary Rod Paige then addressed the Convention and asked, "How many of you are going to college? And while many responded Yes, others reminded him, "We are still in high school."

The biggest applause had come just minutes before the protest as the Bush twins --Jenna and Barbara -- took the stage following an introduction by their cousin, George P. Bush and his new wife, Mandy. Both were clad in jeans and casual jackets --Barbara showing just a sliver of middrift -- in a very contemporary style like many of the young delegates on the floorThey tossed out yet another stream of good-natured barbs at their parents and grandparents. They then introduced Card.

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